[Maths-Education] Maths and Gender: New special issue planned

[Ernest, Paul]

Dear colleagues

I have had a lot of very interesting and interested responses on the issue of Mathematics and Gender - it's a real live issue with many important dimensions and continuing problems! 

So I have decided to make the Philosophy of Mathematics Education Journal No. 29 a special issue on Mathematics and Gender. This will be published either late 2014 or early 2015.

Of particular interest is: 
* The masculine/male image of mathematics
* Gendered aspects of the portrayal of mathematics in the media
* Women's underparticipation in mathematics post 16, at college/university, and in post university careers
* Aspects of mathematical study and professions that attract good participation by women
* Links between gender and other social justice issues with respect to mathematics
* Mathematics and gender in the years of statutory schooling (5-16)
* Mathematics and identity in girls and women/boys and men
* Any other studies and reflections on the theme mathematics and gender beyond those mentioned here

Submissions do not have to be 'philosophical' if they are informative or reflective on mathematics and gender 

It would be useful if you let me know if you are interested in submitting something and your projected timeframe! However this is not necessary! Please submit anything including short pieces, assignments, articles, chapters or even whole dissertations or theses!  I can reprint already published materials provided you have copyright or permission. Authors retain copyright here. 

One of the good things about this free of charge journal is that it is accessed by scholars and students from all over the globe!

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FURTHER ISSUES OF INTEREST


I just read a very interesting paper by Peter Gates:  Lives, Learning and Liberty - The Impact and Responsibilities of
Mathematics Education   - it's strong stuff - see it at:
http://www.emis.de/proceedings/PME28/PleP/PlenaryPanel_Gates.pdf

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Is Mathematics Harmful (as well as Beneficial)?
Paul Ernest 
Mathematics undoubtedly has great value, It has Intrinsic value, Extrinsic or social value, and Personal value. But are these untrammelled goods? Does promoting these aspects of value lead to solely beneficial outcomes? Does mathematics cause harm? What do colleagues think? In the talk I argue that mathematics does real harm because of the way it is misapplied in ways of thinking used beyond mathematics, but that mathematics itself is neutral.

See the talk on Youtube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCngE2hZyMg
See the slide show on: (You probably need to join/log in)
http://www.slideshare.net/pernest/questioning-the-value-of-mathematics2?qid=8a4e416a-20cb-462b-bffb-9cf56cf756ea&v=qf1&b=&from_search=7

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The Values and Mathematics: Overt and Covert
Paul Ernest 
There is a widespread perception that mathematics is objective and value-free. In this paper I argue that on the contrary mathematics itself is value-laden. It is inescapably imbued with epistemological, ontological, aesthetic and ethical values. I argue that these are divisible into overt and covert values. Overt values including truth, purity, universalism, objectivism, rationalism and utility can be explicitly identified within mathematics. I argue that accepting any of these values involves making a choice and hence values cannot simply be subsumed into the domain of necessary attributes of mathematics. In contrast, covert values are hidden and not explicitly recognised as such. I identify objectism and ethics under this heading, with the specific ethical values of separatism, openness, fairness and democracy as pertaining to mathematics.

See the talk on YouTube
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jak61rsez5g
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyvRr2gCfVQ
The paper is in submission for publication - just ask if you want to see a copy!

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I promise not to clog up your inbox any more stuff for a while!

Best wishes

Paul

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Paul Ernest
Emeritus Professor, Education, Exeter University, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
Homepage http://www.people.ex.ac.uk/PErnest/ Philosophy of Maths Ed Journal
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paul-Ernest/e/B001K8D5B2
 Latest (joint) paper "Explorations in knowing: thinking psychosocially about legitimacy" available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14681366.2013.877205.